Cheers Hughesy! Clarke, Phillip Hughes's dad and former players gather in cricketer's favourite pub to remember him and prepare for his funeral 

• Friends and townspeople of Macksville gathered at The Star Hotel on Monday to remember Phillip Hughes
• Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has arrived in Macksville on Monday to help the Hughes family prepare for Wednesday's funeral
• Phillip Hughes died last week after the head injury suffered when hit playing for South Australia against NSW
• Adelaide is now set to host for the First Test versus India next week rather than Brisbane

By Lucy Thackray In Macksville and Frank Coletta and Leesa Smith for Daily Mail Australia Follow @@LeesaSmithAU

Published: 06:29 EST, 1 December 2014 | Updated: 08:17 EST, 1 December 2014

Australian captain Michael Clarke, former cricketer Stuart MacGill and Phillip Hughes's father Greg met together on Monday night, gathering at one of Phillip Hughes's favourite pubs in his hometown of Macksville, as the town continued to pay tribute to their lost son.

Looking over the Nambucca River and supported by a group of friends, they comforted each other in the wake of the 25-year-old cricketer's death, surrounded by the memories of the young cricketer's childhood.

The group of friends smiled, laughed, and were frequently hugged and comforted by townspeople at The Star Hotel, as they remembered the cricketer with the cheeky smile who tragically died on Thursday.

Clarke arrived in Phillip Hughes's home town in northern NSW on Monday to help his best mate's parents, Greg and Virginia, prepare for Wednesday's funeral in Macksville.

His trip to Macksville comes as confirmation came through of the first test match of the summer which is set to take place in Adelaide next week, the ABC reports.

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Phillip Hughes died after two days at St Vincent's Hospital, after he suffered a 'catastrophic' injury whilst batting for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield clash against NSW on Tuesday.

Macksville, a small town in NSW's mid north coast, was not only Phillip Hughes's past but also the place he dreamed of for his future.

Many Australian children dream of playing cricket for Australia. With this dream realised, before his death, Phillip already had his future plans in place and hoped to return to Macksville to work on the farm with his treasured father Greg, rearing cattle and growing bananas.

He was regarded by young Macksville locals as a hero and locals say that the young members of the community are struggling to cope with the loss of Phillip Hughes: the young man who encouraged them to work hard for their dreams.

'R.I.P. Phillip (Boofa). You will always be my hero,' wrote a young friend, who left flowers as a tribute on the cricket nets behind Phillip Hughes's family home.

'Happy birthday Pillip (sic). You will be missed by everyone in Macksvill (sic),' another child wrote, leaving his note in the place where Hughes's brilliant yet unfinished cricket career began.

The young batsman will be farewelled on Wednesday in the country town.

'Whenever Hughes played, the whole town would gather to watch him. Everyone would come down to the pub to watch our boy,' one local said

Family and friends gathered at Hughes's favourite pubs around town on Monday

A local, who saw Hughes grow up and play both NRL and cricket alongside his two sons, says the young children in the community will be amongst those that miss the cricketer the most.

'Juniors idolised him. They absolutely thought the world of him,' he said.

'Whenever Hughes played, the whole town would gather to watch him. Everyone would come down to the pub to watch our boy.

'But it was the young ones who loved him the most. They were so excited about "Phil-Hughes-from-Macksville" as they'd often call him.'

'When he came back to town he'd always say hey and give them the time of day.'

Hughes 'never forgot where he came from' and remained incredibly close with his family, including his father Greg, his mother Virginia, sister Megan and brother Jason.

'Every year, he donated shirts and items for "Give Me 5 For Kids" to help raise money for the local community,' said Joe Welsh, from the Macksville newsagency.

'He did a lot for charities.'

Phillip and his big brother Jason were both keen sportsmen and Phillip was a 'remarkable talent' from a young age.

'He worked so hard. He never gave up. From the time he was eight years old, he was playing against people that were three years older than him,' said the family friend, who wished to remain anonymous.

'And he was incredible. Making centuries every game.

'You just knew he was something special.'

The family friend says that it is 'unfair' that the youngster, who was always 'playing cricket or selling cricket raffle tickets' was killed by a cricket ball.

'None of us can believe it. It doesn't make sense. It's not fair.'

Michael Clarke arrives in Macksville by chopper ahead of Phillip Hughes's funeral on Wednesday

The Australian cricket captain has been a constant support for Phillip Hughes's family

Michael Clarke arrives in Macksville to help the Hughes family prepare for Wednesday's funeral to be held at Phillip's old school

Despite a hectic schedule, Hughes took every possible opportunity to return home.

'He'd always come home and say g'day to everyone, he'd always go with his dad down to the RSL, or The Star Hotel or The Nambucca Hotel to catch up with everyone and have a bit of a punt,' Mr Welsh said.

'No matter what happened, Phil never changed. He was so funny.'

The town is covered in beautiful tributes, with photographs of their beloved 'Boofa' and messages, including one promising 'we are all teammates now.'

In two days, a tribute book has already collected more than 1000 signatures from locals, in a town with a population of 'around 3000'.

'We've already needed to buy a new book! Everyone's pulling together for the family,' said Mr Welsh.

'Phil idolised his mum and dad and they idolised him. They had a wonderful relationship.'

The local community were a constant support for Phil, through his ups and downs as he fought for his place in the Australian team.

'When Phil came back from England a big crew of people went up to Brisbane, hoping to see him play.

'He didn't make it but oh, that was life. We were still so excited,' said Mr Welsh.

With tears in his eyes, their family friend says nothing will stop the people from Macksville playing cricket like they used to with Phil.

In his family's statement, they explained that their son 'lived for cricket'.

'Phil wouldn't have wanted the game to change,' says their friend.

'He loved a short ball. He'd want the game to go on.'

Michael Clark on his way to the family home of Greg and Virginia Hughes, the parents of Phillip Hughes on Monday

It's been an emotional week for the Australian cricket captain after the death of the mate he called 'my little bro'

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke arrived in Phillip Hughes' home town in northern New South Wales on Monday to help his best mate's parents, Greg and Virginia, prepare for Wednesday's funeral in Macksville.

Clarke, 33, has won wide admiration for the leadership he has shown throughout the ordeal, including from the Prime Minister during a parliamentary condolence motion.

His trip to Macksville comes as Cricket Australia confirmed the first test match of the summer will take place in Adelaide on December 9, the ABC reports.

As Australian players struggle to cope with the grief of losing their close mate and Indian officials confirming they will work with whatever rescheduling is proposed by Cricket Australia.

It has now been announced that Adelaide - at Phillip Hughes' home ground - will now host the first test match of the summer next week, starting on Tuesday rather than the previously slotted Friday.

That would see the Brisbane match between Australia and India squeezed in before the Boxing Day Test, with a start on Wednesday, December 17.

Brothers for life: Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes on a night out together. The Australian skipper has now arrived in Phillip's home town of Macksville to help prepare for Wednesday's funeral service

'Happy BDAY 408. Life will never be the same', Clarke captioned this photo of himself and wife Kylie with best mate Phillip Hughes on Sunday which would have been his friend's 26th birthday

'What a smile': Michael Clarke with Phillip Hughes share a joke as they take to the crease for Australia

Clarke asked everyone to join him in the coundown to Hughes' birthday at the weekend

Clarke's words prove that the Phillip Hughes' passing is the biggest tragedy he has ever had to endure

Too grief stricken to finish reading out a tribute at a media conference on Saturday, Clarke summed up how distraught he was on Instagram on Sunday morning by saying: 'What I would give for just one more day.'

The photos illustrate the irreplaceable bond that the two cricketers had as Clarke flooded his Instagram account with the fun times they shared both on and off the field.

One photo of the two cricketers on the field has the words: 'You will stand with me every time I walk out onto that ground.'

'Brothers for life' is the comment Clarke posted next to a selfie a night out where he jokingly described them as the 'KINGS of Trivia Night'.

He also posted a photo of the two of them with other team mates alongside the words: 'Brothers in arms.'

One of many of Clarke's tweets said 'Happy birthday 408. Life will never be the same' - referring to Hughes being the 408th Australian to play test cricket.

'The boy could do everything': Michael Clarke paid tribute to his 'little brother' on his 26th birthday

Meagan Simpson describes Hughes as her best friend in her Instagram post

#putyourbatsout campaign on Twitter. People around the country continue to put out cricket bats on what would have been his 26th birthday

Clarke will never forget his best mate especially when he plays cricket

Brothers in arms: their bond was irreplaceable both on and off the field

Clarke sums how distraught he is about losing his 'little brother'

Good mate Rabbitohs player Greg Inglis posts a heartbreaking birthday message to Hughes

Many of the extended cricket family posted their own heartfelt words on social media throughout the day including former Australian cricketers Darren Lehmann and Craig McDermott - who commented on Hughes' 'cheeky smile'.

Team mate Nathan Lyon tweeted saying how much the team missed the much-loved cricketer.

Good mate and Rabbitohs player Greg Inglis, who is another to hail from Macksville in northern NSW, posted a heartbreaking birthday message to Hughes saying: 'Makes it even harder today. Happy birthday champion.'

Clarke made reference to Hughes' cheeky smile in two posts saying: 'You are all teeeth bro' and another simply saying: 'What a smile.'

He also showed his deep admiration for Hughes saying: 'This boy could do everything!'

On the eve of Hughes' birthday, a night vigil was held in his hometown of Macksville in NSW.

The locals came together for a minute's silence for Hughes at 8.15pm on Saturday followed by a lone bagpiper playing Amazing Grace.

Hughes' life support was turned off on Thursday, two days after he was struck in the head with a ball during a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

'You are all teeth bro.... Hahahahaha' Clarke jokingly posted on Instagram

Former Australian cricketer Craig McDermott also commented on Hughes' 'cheeky smile'

Clarke was too grief stricken to finish reading out a tribute at a press conference yesterday

On the eve of Hughes' birthday, a night vigil was held in his hometown of Macksville in northern NSW on Saturday